Established in 1655, Groton is one of the oldest towns in the commonwealth.

Resident Earl Carter, who has a museum of Groton history in his garage, said Groton has a very rich early history. He said the town was originally settled by farmers who traveled beyond Lexington and Concord to the undeveloped, fertile land of Groton.

"People came to this area because it was just north of Concord, had good farmland, a couple of major rivers running through it and the American Indians were the only people here," Carter said.

Carter said Groton residents were involved in Shay's Rebellion, rode along with Paul Revere's midnight ride and were among the first to heed the call for soldiers at the beginning of the American Revolution.

"Groton had a good, well-organized active militia that met frequently in preparation for the Revolutionary War. Some of our boys were the first ones there at Lexington and Concord. They actually took off the evening before the planned departure to get down there early," Carter said.

With a current population of nearly 11,000, Groton has grown significantly since its time as a hub of revolutionary activity.

At more than 32 square miles, Groton is the largest town by area in Middlesex County. It's convenient for commuters who traverse Route 119, which travels right down Groton's Main Street.

Groton has a history of industry and was once home to a soapstone quarry, large hop-growing industry, brick factory, saw mill, grist mill and pewter mill, according to the town's website.

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The town is front and center to regional environmental efforts as home to the Nashua River Watershed Association and its founder, Marion Stoddart.

Land preservation is near and dear to Groton hearts, as is assuring water quality in it lakes and rivers.

The town's Main Street is key to the Main Street Historical District, including a church built in 1775 and the Old Burying Ground with gravestones dating back to 1704.

Main Street is also home to the Groton Historical Society, established in 1894 and headquartered in the George Boutwell House, named for the former Massachusetts governor who resided there.

Three old and revered private schools call Groton home: Groton School, Lawrence Academy and The Country Day School of the Holy Union. Groton public schools include Groton-Dunstable Regional School District and Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford.

While there is much that sets Groton apart, according to Selectman John "Jack" Petropoulos, Groton's most unique feature is not its schools or its landscapes, but its people.

"There is an unpretentiousness about the people that live here that I have noticed and heard remarked about over and over again. It makes this a wonderful place," Petropoulos said.

"I think that people come here because they can be who they want to be," he said, "and have the advantage of a wonderful community, with great schools and surroundings."

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